Organizing Blog For Members

As part of our socialist feminist work, DSA has endorsed the International Women's Strike Thursday, March 8th. The strike’s platform includes universal healthcare (including reproductive freedom and abortion care), women’s labor rights, firm demands for an anti-racist and anti-imperialist feminism, and environmental justice. You can find downloadable signs here,here, and here. Want to run a reading group session on socialist feminism? Here's a great article on the strike and its precedents. And click here for an analysis of gender justice and work in the home.

Film discussions are a great way to talk about democratic socialism and make organizing connections in your community. You can do this with a group of friends, or host a larger event. And the British film Pride (2014) is a good choice to talk about queer organizing, workers’ rights, and solidarity in action. Check out some film discussion tips here.

The film is based on the true story of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners. It’s 1984, British coal miners are on strike, and a group of gays and lesbians in London bring the queer community together to support the miners in their fight.

For all DSA members and chapters, here is our post-Charlottesville organizing guide. There are some great tips here about running meetings, doing outreach, and finding concrete ways to help. You can download the guide here.

We also have a great DSA anti-fascist, anti-hate sign available here. You can print this out for rallies in your area, or to put in your window.

DSA provides a supportive community for folks questioning capitalism and looking and working for an alternative. DSA members educate the public about democratic socialism and "join the fights" as activists, too.

Here are some resources so new members can do that. And long-time members can use these too: to learn more, to share with friends, and even to start their own chapter.

Maintaining security and privacy has always been a challenge for political organizers, long before personal computers and the Internet. Today, the combination of ubiquitous information technology and a radical right-wing authoritarian political climate has made digital security a top concern for politically active organizations and individuals.

DSA members across the country stand up for socialist reforms that make real differences in working people’s lives. Healthcare is a great example. DSA has supported single payer healthcare and reproductive rights for many years. That work is more important now than ever. Here are some resources you can use to fight cutbacks and work towards healthcare for everyone. Here's what you need to know about the Republican plan so you can fight against it. Scroll to the bottom for links to contact your representatives. And these downloadable signs are great for healthcare access rallies — or to put in your window.

Hulu is currently running a 10-episode adaptation of Margaret Atwood The Handmaid's Tale. The mini-series tells the story of a dystopian future, in which a militaristic elite has seized control of the United States, and used religion and brute force to turn women into walking incubators. The series continues until June.

Right now, the horrifying prospects shown in The Handmaid's Tale look far too possible. But there are things you can do right now to organize for a better future. You can start by hosting a film discussion. Check out some tips here.

For this May Day, DSA has endorsed Movimiento Cosecha’s call for a Día Sin Inmigrantes (Day Without Immigrants). DSA local groups from New York to California are working with them and other immigrants’ rights group active in their communities.

You can look up your local DSA group here to find out what May Day activities they’re planning. Today is just the beginning. There will be ongoing actions throughout the month, so check back regularly!

You can join in the massive strikes, boycotts, and other actions beginning May 1st. You can help from home too. Check out this blog post for more about May Day actions and immigrants' rights. You can learn about DSA's Immigrants' Rights committee there too. And download your printable sign here. You can put this in your window, bring it to rallies, or share it with friends.

Working together, we fight back — against the ban and against the wall, and move forward for us all. Sí, se puede!

As democratic socialists, we understand the connections between capitalism and environmental destruction. That's why DSA has endorsed the People's Climate March on April 29th. Metro DC DSA has a full schedule of events in addition to the March. Many local DSA groups are working on events in their community. You can find your local DSA group in our chapter list.

Want to learn more about socialism and environmental justice? Check out this handout here. You can print it out as a brochure for a friend, or give it out at a community event. And you can download your own printable sign here.

Many DSA local organizing groups and chapters use socialist reading groups to grow and become stronger. Strong locals can use one to increase members’ knowledge of current events and socialist strategy. Fledgling groups and new members find them the perfect first step for connecting with other socialists in the community. This flyer contains useful tips you can use to start one up. Click on the Download PDF icon on the left to download it.

Join Steve Max, a founder of the legendary community organizing school, the Midwest Academy, to practice talking about socialism in plain language. Create your own short rap. Use your personal experience and story to explain democratic socialism. Prepare for those conversations about socialism that happen when you table or canvass. This workshop is for those who have already had an introduction to democratic socialism, whether from DSA's webinar or from other sources. Questions? Contact Theresa Alt <talt@igc.org> 607-280-7649.

DSA was concerned to find out that the company that provides our website and online organizing infrastructure, NationBuilder, had as a client the Trump campaign and other right-wing candidates. Progressives built this kind of infrastructure and tools for digital organizing and we have now lost that organizing edge. We are moving to identify other options for a CMS/CRM. As an under-resourced, member funded organization, this move will take time for us to carry out, but it is an important statement for us to make.